For the past hour, I have been updating the appearance and information on this blog. It was just time for a change. Some changes are easier for us to make than others. The changes on this site were fairly easy to make. Except for deleting an old picture of my grandchildren, the changes were made without much emotional attachment.
There are some changes that we must make from time to time that come with a high level of attachment. A change in one's family structure - birth of a child; marriage of child; or the death of a loved one - require deep, emotional and physical changes as one adjusts to a new set of relationships. Likewise, moving from one home to another carries a high level of change with it.
Some changes would seem to be simple because they would be so beneficial, but some of those changes are the most difficult. When one's doctor suggests a weight loss or an exercise program would result in greatly improved health, it seems like a simple decision because we all desire good health. But the lure of an extra hour's sleep or a cheeseburger with fries makes the actual change more difficult.
I have just experienced another birthday. Despite all the well wishers and delicious cake, changes are coming. While some people are gracious to lie to me that I still look quite young, the truth is that I can get down on the floor to play with my grandchildren, but I really could use some assistance when it is time to return to the world of adults. I know why older people eat dinner so early in the evening (or mid afternoon). We older adults now go to bed (or at least fall asleep in our chairs) at the time we used to eat dinner. I have noticed that the hair in my ears grows faster and thicker than the hair on top of my head.
I am certainly no expert on making changes, but I have noted a few things that might be helpful to someone else besides me. It is good to have those who truly love you and care about you to be your supporters when making changes. It is necessary to persevere - change doesn't happen easily. If you mess up, start again. To make really lasting change, our reliance cannot be on just ourselves, family, and friends. Lasting change only happens in our lives when we allow God to provide the strength and empowerment that none of us has on our own.
Showing posts with label change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label change. Show all posts
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Day Nine and Counting
I am not a coffee drinker. Over the years I have saved a great amount of money by not having to buy a Starbucks' drink one, two, or three times a day. Of course, I have found other ways to spend that money.
While I don't drink coffee (or alcoholic beverages), I am a great consumer of Coca Cola - not the diet stuff - the real, leaded, red can, classic stuff. Three or four a day has often been my pattern. But in an effort at better health and in an effort to become less wide, I am in day nine and counting of time without a Coke Classic.
Why do I tell you that? Well, my co-workers would rather me write than complain. Actually, I have done better than I expected. To this point, I have not had road rage; have not hit anyone; have not yelled at anyone; continue to shower and shave every day; and have gotten out of bed and gone to work each day. Not bad for someone in the major throes of withdrawal.
I have developed a growing concern though. In light of today's economy, I hope that my not drinking all those Cokes is not adversely effecting the bottom line at the corporate office!
While I don't drink coffee (or alcoholic beverages), I am a great consumer of Coca Cola - not the diet stuff - the real, leaded, red can, classic stuff. Three or four a day has often been my pattern. But in an effort at better health and in an effort to become less wide, I am in day nine and counting of time without a Coke Classic.
Why do I tell you that? Well, my co-workers would rather me write than complain. Actually, I have done better than I expected. To this point, I have not had road rage; have not hit anyone; have not yelled at anyone; continue to shower and shave every day; and have gotten out of bed and gone to work each day. Not bad for someone in the major throes of withdrawal.
I have developed a growing concern though. In light of today's economy, I hope that my not drinking all those Cokes is not adversely effecting the bottom line at the corporate office!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Is Virtual Reality, Reality?
Allergy medications may cause strange thoughts - certainly cause drowsiness. In the midst of the two, the question surfaces - is virtual reality really reality? Of course it is! Am I crazy or just drowsy? But - Presidential speeches being twittered; finding friends on Facebook; and texting on cell phones! Where have all the people gone! Gone to digital everyone.
Now don't get me wrong. The truth is that I like and use most of the digital forms of communication. I text three, four times a month - with proper spelling and grammar of course. I have a blog - actually, I have three - this personal one and two related to my job. I have a Facebook page and even have a few friends on it. Email accounts at work and at home easily accessible through my IPhone which also has a level, access to USA Today, and pool, bowling, and golf games (for when I am not working).
Could I get by without all of these devices in the world of virtual reality? I probably could, but I don't want to. I may be addicted - although I can quit anytime I want - I just don't want to.
But what about real people? Friends are more than digital transmissions through space. At some point friends must be real people that you shake hands with, that you hug, that you eat a meal with, and that you laugh and cry with. Sure you can do some of those things (at least metaphorically) online. And when distance separates you, online is a great way to stay in touch (metaphorically speaking). But we all need real, live people around us also. These are people that turn virtual into reality. These are people that can read your body language when words don't come from your mouth or from the keyboard.
Today is a good day - even with the allergies - to give some thought to the real people who make a difference in my reality while my fingers touch this keyboard in a virtual, sometimes real, always changing world.
Now don't get me wrong. The truth is that I like and use most of the digital forms of communication. I text three, four times a month - with proper spelling and grammar of course. I have a blog - actually, I have three - this personal one and two related to my job. I have a Facebook page and even have a few friends on it. Email accounts at work and at home easily accessible through my IPhone which also has a level, access to USA Today, and pool, bowling, and golf games (for when I am not working).
Could I get by without all of these devices in the world of virtual reality? I probably could, but I don't want to. I may be addicted - although I can quit anytime I want - I just don't want to.
But what about real people? Friends are more than digital transmissions through space. At some point friends must be real people that you shake hands with, that you hug, that you eat a meal with, and that you laugh and cry with. Sure you can do some of those things (at least metaphorically) online. And when distance separates you, online is a great way to stay in touch (metaphorically speaking). But we all need real, live people around us also. These are people that turn virtual into reality. These are people that can read your body language when words don't come from your mouth or from the keyboard.
Today is a good day - even with the allergies - to give some thought to the real people who make a difference in my reality while my fingers touch this keyboard in a virtual, sometimes real, always changing world.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A Milestone and A Beginning
A couple of weeks ago I completed my 15th year in my position as Executive Director of Denton Baptist Association. That is a milestone for me and for the association. This is the longest period of time that I have served in any one job by a couple of years and it is about twice as long as anyone has served in this position for the association.
It is fun to look back and to recall what has happened in 15 years. But in truth, the real excitement of a job or of life itself, is not what has happened in the past but the anticipation of what will happen in the future. As I begin my 16th year, I believe that there are far greater things coming and yet to be done than have any been considered, much less accomplished, in the past.
My life is really like that as well. My wife and I have been married 40 years. We have lived in six different communities during those 40 years. In addition, both of us have separate towns where we spent our "growing up" years. I hear people struggle with where is home for them. That has always been a simple question for me. Home is where I am living today. Home is not where I was born or went to high school. Home is not where both of our children were born. Home is not where we lived for 27 years. Home is where we are today.
Holding to that philosophy means that new driving patterns, new shopping locations, and making new friends in the neighbor are all part of home being where we are today. Sure I have memories, wonderful memories, of all the other places we have lived, but they are no longer our home.
I wonder when the last time was that you seriously gave thought to where your home is. The answer for you might be just what you need to get excited about the future.
It is fun to look back and to recall what has happened in 15 years. But in truth, the real excitement of a job or of life itself, is not what has happened in the past but the anticipation of what will happen in the future. As I begin my 16th year, I believe that there are far greater things coming and yet to be done than have any been considered, much less accomplished, in the past.
My life is really like that as well. My wife and I have been married 40 years. We have lived in six different communities during those 40 years. In addition, both of us have separate towns where we spent our "growing up" years. I hear people struggle with where is home for them. That has always been a simple question for me. Home is where I am living today. Home is not where I was born or went to high school. Home is not where both of our children were born. Home is not where we lived for 27 years. Home is where we are today.
Holding to that philosophy means that new driving patterns, new shopping locations, and making new friends in the neighbor are all part of home being where we are today. Sure I have memories, wonderful memories, of all the other places we have lived, but they are no longer our home.
I wonder when the last time was that you seriously gave thought to where your home is. The answer for you might be just what you need to get excited about the future.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
A Change in the Routines
Routines are a way of life for most of us. Life can get very confusing and complicated when we step out of some of our routines. A few days ago my morning was anything but routine. The reasons are insignificant at this point but my regular pattern was altered. The result: because I cleaned my body in the shower before shampooing my hair - I forgot to rinse the shampoo out of my hair and had to enter the shower a second time; because I finished getting dressed before brushing my teeth, I forgot to brush my teeth; and because I left my watch in the kitchen the night before (of course, I had left it there while doing the dishes - my normal routine, but don't tell my wife that I wrote that), I forgot to put on my watch and so I spent the day with unbrushed teeth while looking at my naked wrist every 15 minutes or so.
Well, our home routines are about to make an even bigger change than the order of personal hygiene habits. Tomorrow is my wife's last day as an employed public school teacher. After 31 years of loving and molding and shaping the lives of 6 and 7 seven year olds and mentoring and encouraging fellow teachers, she is retiring. She is still very young (you can tell her that I wrote that). But she is ready for a change. That change may involve staying home some and taking it easy. It may involve some volunteering in the areas that she cares about deeply. And it may involve a part-time job in the future that doesn't require taking things home at night to have finished by the next morning.
I do know what changes are certain - (1) she will not be getting up at 5:00 AM; (2) she will not pity me as I leave for work and she stays home; (3) she will enjoy her new found personal time; and (4) she will miss seeing the bright eyes of children as they catch the excitement of learning to read (her special area for the last 16 years has been working with first graders who lacked reading skills and helping them "get it.").
But that is the way it is when we change our routines and begin a new direction. Some things end and other things begin. That is really the way life is in all of its aspects. Individuals, families, corporations, and churches - they all experience change in that way. To begin a new direction requires that an old path be abandoned in order to follow the new path. One of my favorite poems is Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken." In that poem the author comes to a place where the road he has been walking divides. He must choose which of the two paths now to follow. He knows he can only choose one. While he thinks he can always come back some day and try the other path, he knows that it will never happen. He finally chooses the path that seems less traveled and states that that choice has made all the difference.
Our family has a change in the routine because a choice has been made to travel a different path. It will make all the difference. Just wondering if you have any routines to alter, new directions to go, and choices to make!
Well, our home routines are about to make an even bigger change than the order of personal hygiene habits. Tomorrow is my wife's last day as an employed public school teacher. After 31 years of loving and molding and shaping the lives of 6 and 7 seven year olds and mentoring and encouraging fellow teachers, she is retiring. She is still very young (you can tell her that I wrote that). But she is ready for a change. That change may involve staying home some and taking it easy. It may involve some volunteering in the areas that she cares about deeply. And it may involve a part-time job in the future that doesn't require taking things home at night to have finished by the next morning.
I do know what changes are certain - (1) she will not be getting up at 5:00 AM; (2) she will not pity me as I leave for work and she stays home; (3) she will enjoy her new found personal time; and (4) she will miss seeing the bright eyes of children as they catch the excitement of learning to read (her special area for the last 16 years has been working with first graders who lacked reading skills and helping them "get it.").
But that is the way it is when we change our routines and begin a new direction. Some things end and other things begin. That is really the way life is in all of its aspects. Individuals, families, corporations, and churches - they all experience change in that way. To begin a new direction requires that an old path be abandoned in order to follow the new path. One of my favorite poems is Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken." In that poem the author comes to a place where the road he has been walking divides. He must choose which of the two paths now to follow. He knows he can only choose one. While he thinks he can always come back some day and try the other path, he knows that it will never happen. He finally chooses the path that seems less traveled and states that that choice has made all the difference.
Our family has a change in the routine because a choice has been made to travel a different path. It will make all the difference. Just wondering if you have any routines to alter, new directions to go, and choices to make!
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Emotions of Change
Over the years I have heard many people make observations, tell jokes, or share their personal experiences of "going through the change of life." While I know that our bodies are created in such a way that we do go through various physical changes (yes, both men and women), and that those changes can have a great impact upon one's emotions, I am discovering that life can bring a whole series of changes at once that greatly impact both our physical and our emotional aspects of life.
In my life there are 5 specific changes that are in process that will all reach their apex by June of this year. Some of these bring great, positive blessing to my life. A couple of them are troubling at this point in time. Combined, they send my emotional stability into a roller coaster ride that requires a constant awareness that the God who created me is still in control rather than the roller coaster being in control.
A co-worker and good friend has been in either the hospital or a rehab facility since the end of January working hard to recover from a severe case of encephalitis. At the end of March, I will complete a preaching interim of a little over a year. In May our son and his wife will give birth to their second child and our fourth grandchild. In early June my wife will retire with 31 years of teaching in the public schools of Texas. Finally, in late June our daughter and her career military husband and their two children will leave for their next assignment in Belgium. And that doesn't even include that we had a new house built and just moved into it in January.
Now, I did not list those things for any readers to respond with either "poor thing" or "how exciting." The truth is that life is like that for most of us all the time. As a result, we experience stress, withdrawal, excitement, celebration, elation, depression, laughter, and tears. And yet, we make it through.
How do we make it through? We do it by love of family, encouragement and help of friends, words of information from a variety of sources, personal prayer, and an abiding faith in the same God who created us. To give each of these helps a good opportunity to function properly, I am going to take a few days of vacation to allow the physical side of life to catch up with the emotional side or maybe it is the other way around. Regardless, I want to be living in such a way that my body and my emotions are functioning properly, healthy and strong. I know what that takes for me. Do you know what it takes for you?
In my life there are 5 specific changes that are in process that will all reach their apex by June of this year. Some of these bring great, positive blessing to my life. A couple of them are troubling at this point in time. Combined, they send my emotional stability into a roller coaster ride that requires a constant awareness that the God who created me is still in control rather than the roller coaster being in control.
A co-worker and good friend has been in either the hospital or a rehab facility since the end of January working hard to recover from a severe case of encephalitis. At the end of March, I will complete a preaching interim of a little over a year. In May our son and his wife will give birth to their second child and our fourth grandchild. In early June my wife will retire with 31 years of teaching in the public schools of Texas. Finally, in late June our daughter and her career military husband and their two children will leave for their next assignment in Belgium. And that doesn't even include that we had a new house built and just moved into it in January.
Now, I did not list those things for any readers to respond with either "poor thing" or "how exciting." The truth is that life is like that for most of us all the time. As a result, we experience stress, withdrawal, excitement, celebration, elation, depression, laughter, and tears. And yet, we make it through.
How do we make it through? We do it by love of family, encouragement and help of friends, words of information from a variety of sources, personal prayer, and an abiding faith in the same God who created us. To give each of these helps a good opportunity to function properly, I am going to take a few days of vacation to allow the physical side of life to catch up with the emotional side or maybe it is the other way around. Regardless, I want to be living in such a way that my body and my emotions are functioning properly, healthy and strong. I know what that takes for me. Do you know what it takes for you?
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